By ROBIN TOSKIN

In the wake of contested penalties in recent Kenyan Premier League matches, KPL gurus have kept a tight lid on names of referees of two matches that could decide the destination of the trophy, less than 48 hours before the curtains come down on season.

KPL's top Secret

Ulinzi Stars and Gor Mahia are locked in a seesaw battle, with the military men hoping to beat Karuturi Sports by whatever margin to render useless Gor Mahia’s result against Nairobi City Stars.

And FeverPitch’s attempts to lift the lid on the names of the referees were answered with a stern NO! by KPL gurus.

Such is the magnitude of the two matches tomorrow after both Ulinzi Stars and Gor Mahia engaged in shadow boxing.

Ulinzi Stars claimed Gor Mahia are the blue-eyed boys of the referees having benefited from six penalty calls out of 32 dished out this season, two of which have kept K’Ogalo at an arms-length of the big-eared KPL trophy.

But, having brought to its readers every ball contested on the pitch and every goof by both KPL officials and referees, FeverPitch went behind the scenes to zero in on some of the officials likely to be at the centre of City Stadium and Afraha cauldrons from 3pm tomorrow.

Difficult time

FeverPitch has learnt all referees in the other six KPL end of season fixtures have received their appointments but with a rider "anything can change at any time."

KPL CEO Jack Oguda declined to open the lid on the referees and a mole at the organisation admitted it was a difficult time to arrive at the names.

"The centre referee for either match could be Carlin Alusa, Sylvester Kirwa, David Gikonyo or Isaac Ochieng," the mole said.

The task of appointing referees was not made any easier after the rocky relationship between KPL Referees Committee members and representatives of FKL soared again leading to the withdrawal of Fifa referees Sylvester Kirwa, Nassur Doka (awaiting Fifa badge), Tom Onyango, Davis Omweno, Caleb Amwayi and Kipng’etich Lagat. The KPL apointing officers comprise Frank Okoth, Pamela Ochieng and Alloyce Odhiambo while FKL’s, who have shunned the appointing process are Juma Mwarandani and Samuel Omwoyo.

"As a result of the withdrawal of Fifa referees some of the officials who had failed Cooper Test have been recalled to see through the season, but the two matches are where the interest is now," our source said.

Ochieng, who has been handed the Red Berets versus Mathare United match was voted the KPL Referee of the Year last season and could be recalled for the Ulinzi versus Karuturi Sports encounter.

Gikonyo, who was once detained for hours in the stadium by Gor Mahia fans, could find himself at City Stadium.

Carlin Alusa, who was at the centre of the storm following Ulinzi Stars 1-1 draw with Red Berets has been handed the Sony versus Posta Rangers clash in Awendo.

But with KPL telling the referees "anything can change" Alusa could be in the frame for the Gor Mahia final clash or Kirwa and Doka, both allied to FKL, but with a wealth of experience that could see them handed surprise call-ups for the crunch final day fixtures.